Page 95 of Counting on a Countess
She nudged her horse until she and Kit were side-by-side. Cradling the astrolabe with one arm, she curved her free hand over Kit’s jaw.
He leaned into her touch, his eyes closing as though he’d found the one place that could give him peace. Curling his fingers around hers, he pressed his lips to her palm.
Heartbreak and desire and affection tore through her, coalescing into a maelstrom that left her breathless and dizzy. She was engulfed in emotions that could not be tamed.
“I am glad to see you, Kit,” she said lowly. “Truly. Things at the moment are... complicated.”
She still hadn’t been able to corner Jory to talk to him about the sale of Chei Owr, in addition to planning tomorrow’s run. “I have many responsibilities here. Things I bear alone.”
He continued to hold her hand to his face, and the brush of his stubble against her skin awakened every nerve in her body.
“A burden is lightened when there’s help in lifting it,” he murmured.
What could she do? He’d shown her what it felt like to have good things and happiness. Yet she continuously lied to him. He merited better than that, nor was she worthy of everything he’d given her.
Sending him back to London would cauterize any hopes of a reconciliation. If he stayed, however, she risked the safety of the village. The choice clawed her from the inside out.
Gently, she slid her hand out of his grip.
“Chei Owr isn’t much to look at,” she warned him. “Over a decade of neglect has taken its toll. It’s drafty, the fireplaces smoke. And there are bats.”
His expression brightened when he realized that she was inviting him to stay. “Much as I appreciate a warm bed and the absence of flying vermin,” he said lightly, “good company more than compensates for the lack of luxury. Speaking of which, I haven’t done this yet.”
He leaned close, and as her heart wheeled in her chest like a kestrel, he lowered his mouth to hers. She opened to him immediately, tumbling recklessly into sensation. Heat exploded between them as the kiss grew ravenous and urgent. His tongue slicked against hers and she moaned at the delicious exploration. All the while, her heart cried out,Yes. Yes, he is what I want, what I need.
“Tamsyn,” he growled when he finally pulled back. “Wife. I need to have you.”
Desire and a need for closeness with him leveled her. “I want nothing more. But they’re expecting me at home.”
“The hell with them,” he rumbled.
She smiled ruefully. “Yes. And I need to get back.” She had to confirm that everything was in place for tomorrow’s run.
His growl sent a thrill through her. “Very well. But depend on it, my lady, wewillravish each other.”
“I’ll hold you to that,” she said, and licked her lips. Every part of her, from her body to her soul, yearned for him.
“Careful,” he rumbled, “or I’ll drag you out of that saddle and make good on my vow.”
Reluctantly, she leaned back, putting necessary distance between them. “We need to go.” She cradled the astrolabe to her chest—a precious gift she would treasure all her days—while her other hand tugged on Jupiter’s reins to turn him toward home.
“I can’t vouch for the company at Chei Owr, either,” she said wryly. “Not while the current baron is master of the house.” She nudged her horse into a sedate walk.
Kit followed on his mount. “Everyone finds me charming,” he said with assurance.
“My uncle barely looks up from his food. His idea of pleasant dinner conversation consists of grunts. And my aunt likes nothing more than to slander the neighbors.”
His confident smile flickered, but he rallied. “Facing the baron and baroness can’t be worse than Bonaparte.”
“If only I could exile them to some distant island,” Tamsyn said on an exhale. “Preferably a Patagonian archipelago.”
“I have friends in the Navy. Something can be arranged.”
For the first time in many days, she found herself genuinely smiling. “Thank you.”
“It’s just a little kidnapping,” he answered. “Hardly any trouble.”
She shook her head. “I mean, thank you. For this.” She held up the astrolabe. “And for coming after me.”
